Rotating toy



1 J. M. VAN CLEAVE 2,960,793

ROTATING TOY Filed Dec. 12. 1958 INVENTOR.

Vn/v Lie/WE.

Jam? /1.

TIWRNE'KF.

Unite This invention relates generally to rotating toys or amusement devices and in particular to a cap mounted device which, by a slight head movement of the wearer, can be given an amusing and arresting rotary motion.

It is well known that game devices or implements which, for successful operation, require the attainment of a certain level of skill have a recognized therapeutic and entertainment value. Acquisition of skill in operating the device through at least some minimum amount of practice provides the operator with a sense of skill or accomplishment which accounts for the success of such game implements.

The present invention is embodied in a device which includes a cap or beanie, to be donned by the operator, the cap rotatably supporting a light weight hoop. A ball or similar object flexibly supported so as to be disposed adjacent the hoop may be started in a circular path by a circular movement of the operators head or by manipulation, the ball serving to rotate the hoop. After this initial movement of the ball and hoop, a coordinated, slight nod of the head of the operator is suflicient to maintain rotation of the hoop and movement of the ball in a circular path. The level of skill required to successfully operate the device is such that it can easily be attained by children and yet provides the aforementioned sense of skill and accomplishment.

The primary object of the present invention is thus to provide a cap mounted toy device which can be successfully operated only after a certain level of skill is attained and which when in operation provides an arresting and entertaining effect upon an observer.

These and other objects will become apparent as the description proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of apparatus embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

Referring initially to Fig. 1, there is shown at 10 a cap or beanie, which may be formed of a somewhat flexible plastic material and which is adapted for placement on the head of an operator of the toy. The cap is provided with a circular boss 11 at its apex, the boss rigidly mounting a vertical support shaft 12.

Rotatably mounted upon the shaft is a transverse member 13, the shaft 12 extending through a suitable bearing 14 carried by the transverse member. The shaft extends through the transverse member substantially at its center of balance and the opposite ends of the transverse member support a hoop 16, the member 13 extending diametrically across the hoop. The hoop is preferably formed of a relatively light-weight but strong material, such as molded plastic, and may have a color which contrasts to the color of the cap 10.

The upper end of the support shaft carries a collar 17 and spaced therefrom a flattened head 18. The portion of the shaft between the head and the collar rotatably mounts a swivel member 19. A flexible cord States Patent or string 21 is attached to the swivel and extends through an aperture 22 in the transverse member 13 at a point adjacent one of its outer ends. The cord extends beyond the aperture a short distance and at its extreme end has attached thereto an object, such as the rubber ball 23 which has some appreciable mass, but which is relatively soft to prevent injury of observers of the toy in operation. The ball 23 may be suitably decorated or colored.

In operation, the cap 10 is donned by the operator of the toy so that the support shaft extends generally vertically. If the operator then moves his head in a circular path through 360, the weight of the ball will cause it to be placed in circular movement about the support shaft. Because of centrifugal force exerted on the ball, it will assume the broken line position indicated at 23a in Fig. 1. In moving through its circular path, since the cord 21 extends through the transverse member 13, the hoop 16 will also be caused to revolve or rotate. Once the hoop has been set in motion, its circular movement and the rotation of the hoop may be maintained by a slight nod of the head of the operator coordinated with the motion of the ball.

As shown in Fig. 2, this slight nod of the operators head in the direction indicated by arrow 26 may be performed as the ball 23 moves through its broken line position of Fig. 2 and thereby provides a slight accelerating force in the direction of movement of the ball which is sufiicient to maintain the ball, and consequently the hoop, moving through their circular path. After some slight amount of practice, the ball and hoop may be retained in circular motion by an almost imperceptible nod of the head of the operator so that the visual effect is such as to indicate that the hoop is moving under its own power.

It will be understood that the cap 10 may be provided with a chin-strap, if necessary and that the support shaft 12 might be dimensioned so as to extend to various distances above the plane of the hoop.

While the invention has been disclosed and described in some detail in the drawings and foregoing description, they are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, as other modifications may readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in this art and within the broad scope of the invention, reference being bad to the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. A toy device including a domed cap adapted to be worn by the operator of the device, a support shaft extending vertically from the dome apex of said cap, a transverse member journaled for rotation on said shaft at the center of balance of said transverse member, a hoop mounted on said transverse member so that said member extends diametrically across the hoop, said transverse member having an aperture adjacent one of its ends, a swivel carried by said shaft above said transverse member, a flexible cord secured at one end to said swivel and extending through said aperture, a ball having appreciable mass attached to the free end of said cord and depending from said transverse member, whereby upon initiation of movement of said ball in a circular path about said shaft said hoop is rotated in a plane normal to the shaft with movement of said ball and rotation of said hoop being maintained by a slight nod of the operators head coordinated with the ball movement.

2. A toy device including a cap adapted to be worn by the operator of the device, a support shaft extending vertically from the dome apex of said cap, a transverse member journaled for rotation on said shaft at the center of balance of said transverse member, a hoop mounted on said transverse member so that said member extends 3 r diametrically across the hoop, said transverse member having an aperture adjacent one of its ends, a flexible cord secured at one end to said shaft and extending through said aperture, an object having appreciable mass attached to the free end of said cord and depending from said transverse member, whereby upon initiation of movement of said object in a circular path about said shaft said hoop is rotated in a plane generally normal to the shaft with movement of said object and rotation of said hoop being maintained by a slight nod of the operators head coordinated with the object movement.

3. A toy device including means adapted to be secured to the head of an operator of the device, a support shaft extending from said means, a transverse member journaled for rotation on said shaft at the center of balance of said transverse member, a hoop mounted on said transverse member so that said member extends diametrically across the hoop, said transverse member having an aperture adjacent one of its ends, a flexible member secured at one end to said shaft and extending through said aperture, an object attached to the free end of said flexible member and depending from said transverse member, whereby upon initiation of movement of said object in a circular path about said shaft said hoop is rotated in a plane generally normal to the shaft with movement of said object and rotation of said hoop being maintained by a slight nod of the operators head coordinated with the object movement.

4. A toy device including means adapted to be secured to the head of an operator of the device, a support shaft extending from said means, a transverse member journaled for rotation on said shaft at the center of balance of said transverse member, a hoop mounted on said transverse member, a flexible member secured at one end to said shaft and engaging said transverse member, an object attached to the free end of said flexible member and depending from said transverse member, whereby upon initiation of movement of said object in a circular 3 path about said shaft said hoop is rotated in a plane generally normal to the shaft with movement of said object and rotation of said hoop being maintained by a slight nod of the operators head coordinated with the object movement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 118,855 Hill Sept. 12, 1871 1,530,748 Alastalo Mar. 24, 1925 2,423,198 McClure July 1, 1947 2,654,973 Lemelson Oct. 13, 1953 

